One aspect is a method that includes analyzing, by a processor of an analysis system, an instruction set architecture of a targeted processor to generate an instruction set profile for each instruction of the instruction set architecture. A combination of instruction sequences for the targeted processor is determined from the instruction set profile that corresponds to a desired stressmark type. The desired stressmark type defines a metric representative of functionality of interest of the targeted processor. Performance of the targeted processor is monitored with respect to the desired stressmark type while executing each of the instruction sequences. One of the instruction sequences is identified as most closely aligning with the desired stressmark type based on performance results of execution of the instruction sequences with respect to the desired stressmark type.